%, 


% 


.V'. 


VV^.'-^'v?' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


|2g    |2^ 
Ki    12.2 


I.I 


1.25 


PhotDsraphic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


jf 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


■'^m  JUiMWBIiJtim  I  iHm 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couieur 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couieur 


D 
D 

D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

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D 


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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


SOX 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


^.^^; 


f-^r 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

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L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grflce  d  la 
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Photoduplication  Service 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
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Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
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sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
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first  page  with  a  printed  or  Illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  Impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  In  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  Illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  images  sulvantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soln,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  de  l'exemplaire  fllm6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 

Les  exemplalres  orlginaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprlm6e  sont  film6s  en  commenqant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplalres 
orlginaux  sont  flim^s  en  commen^ant  par  la 
pramidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernldre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  das  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernlftre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  dlff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  ii  est  fllm6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'Images  n^cessalre.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

.# 

6 

'  ^sinMiliiiwmMK?'^?^ 


f^SSk^-V'^e^rri^-  .-, 


,  -  ^ 


f 

I 


\  i; 


\< 


-Am- 


A  BRIERACCOUNT 


OF    THE 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  COMMITTEE, 


U:.. 


APPOINTED   BV  THE 


YEARLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 


V 


HELD  IN  BALTIMORE, 


FOR   PROMOTING    THE 


IMPROVEMENT  AND  CIVILIZATION 


or  THE 


IMBIAN  JSfATlVES, 


BALTIMORE-PRINTED  BY  COLE  &  HEWES, 
N.  CHARLES.STREET...1805. 


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■'/T  "N   T  , 


J.JBPBX*  --**H|S-^*!^  *  --^aW^IK-***----  •'*»"-<C*t'.S''«*Wf'  i 


i-'itff 


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yJJi' 


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M 

< 


■:i\ 


EXTRACT  FROM  THE 

MINUTES  OF  THE  YEARLY  MEETING, 

HELD  IN  BALTIMORE,  lOth  Mo.  1805. 


A  report  from  our  committee  on  Indian  con- 
cerns was  produced,  which  being  read  and  consi- 
dered, much  satisfaction  with  their  proceedings 
was  expressed,  inasmuch  as  it  very  evidently  ap- 
pears that  considerable  benefits  to  our  red  brethren 
have  already  resulted,  since  the  care  of  the  Year- 
ly Meeting  toivards  them.     The  conmittee  were 
encouraged  to  continue  such  exertions  in  the  pro- 
secution of  this  important  concern  as  may  be  in 
their  power  to  extend  ;    they  were  also  left  at  li- 
berty to  have  printed  for  the  more  general  in- 
formation of  Friends,  as  many  copies  of  their  re- 
port, connected  with  a  narrative  of  their  previous 
proceedings,  as  they  apprehend  may  be  usefully 
distributed  amongst  our  members^ 


;    i! 


!         ) 


'itefe'rtifiPifeiitBiiiiiiiiTiiffliiiiJfeiitfnriifliiiiii^  — '-    ' 


Kfe? 


r 


%t    .  t  •■  f. 


i"|lV'\^ 


c<i-r»iniMr>^'f">iri'[4-t^'^*^'"'""' ■''""■''''•*" 


1. 


A  BRIEF  ACCOUJJT 


OF   TUB 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  COMMITTEE, 


APPOINTED   BY  THE 


YEARLY  MEETING  OF  FRIENDS, 

HELD  IN  BALTIMORE, 

For  promoting  the  Improvement  and  Civilization 
of  the  Indian  Natives.     <■ 


A  weighty  concern  having  been  opened  in 
the  year  1795  in  our  Yearly  Meeting,  re- 
specting the  difficulties  and  distresses  to  which 
the  Indian  natives  of  this  land  were  subject, 
it  obtained  the  serious  attention  of  Friends, 
and  many  observations  were  made,  relative 
to  the  kindness  of  their  ancestors  to  ours  in 
the  early  settlement  of  this  cour^try,  excit- 
ing to  a  deep  consideration  and  eiuii.iry,  whe- 
ther under  the  influence  of  that  exalted  be- 
nevolence and  good  will  to  men,  which  our 
holy  profession  inculcates,  there  was  not 
something  for  us,  as  a  society,  to  uo  for  them 


jAawrtriliWfinfn.iiMV 


..;,-    .  ■:., ..,,,       I  ^„j^.-,j,j||||jf^»^^f^.'^*^^^.^^A^i^.,.......„:.,^^., ...■..■,„■  ...■.^.^^-^,:,.ii^.. 


In 


1^ 


n 


towards  promotin«^  their  religious  instruction, 
knowledge  of  agriculture,  and  useful  mecha- 
ilic  arts  ? 

A  solemnity  prevailing,  the  sentiments  of 
many  were  expressed,  evidencing  a  near  sym- 
pathy with  them  ;  the  meeting  therefore  imit- 
cd  in  recommending  to  our  Quarterly  and 
Monthly  Meetings,  to  open  subscriptions 
amonust'our  members  for  their  relief,  and 
appointed  a  committee,  to  pay  such  attention 
to  the  interesting  concern,  as  they  might  be 
enabled  to  render. 

The  committee,  after  having  fully  consi- 
dered the  subject  of  their  appointment,  con- 
cluded as  the  most  effectual  way  of  obtain- 
ing correct  information  of  the  situation  and 
disposition  of  the  Indians,  to  appoint  a  de- 
putation from  amongst  themselves,  to  visit 
the  S/iazoanecse,  Dclaxvares,  Wyandots,  or  such 
other  nations,  north-west  of  the  river  Ohio, 
as  they  might  find  practicable.  The  Friends 
who  were  nominated  to  this  service,  having 
first  obtained  the  approbation  of  govern- 
ment^ proceeded  in  the  summer  of  1796,  as 


dditfliteM 


atinkti 


ii'riiif1'"'-'''"W-"-^'~"^'' ' " '"'   '■"'^«'"i'  •"■^"'•'■ii  "  '■■'"-■  I 


US  instruction, 
useful  meclia- 


sentiments  of 
ig  a  near  sym- 
therefore  vmit- 
^uarterly  and 
subscriptions 
eir  relief,  and 
such  attention 
they  might  be 


ng  fully  consi- 
ointment,  con- 
rvay  of  obtain- 
e  situation  and 
appoint  a  de- 
ceives, to  visit 
landots,  or  such 
the  river  Ohio, 
The  Friends 
service,  having 
3n  of  govern- 
(ler  of  1796,  as 


tiiiiiMiiiiiii  i»iMw --ir"'  '.      'I'liw 


far  as  the  forks  of  the  Muskingum  river,  at 
which  place,  they  had  been  informed  that  a 
considerable  number  of  Indians  were  collect- 
ed ;  but  upon  their  arrival  there,  they  found 
all  the  chiefs,  and  most  of  the  hunters,  had 
dispersed.  And  it  not  appearing  practica- 
ble to  convene  them  in  a  suitable  manner 
for  a  conference  at  that  time,  they  returned 
without  accomplislung  the  object  of  their  vi- 
sit ;  they  however  saw  divers  hunters  and 
others,  who  appeared  to  be  well  disposed  to 
receive  the  instruction  and  assistance,  which 
Friends  proposed  to  furnish  them. 

The  committee  being  still  deficient  in  the 
necessary  information,  to  enable  them  to 
proceed  with  safety  in  so  important  an  un- 
dertaking, one  of  tlieir  number  offered,  in 
the  fall  of  this  year,  to  undertake  a  visit  to 
the  Indians,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a 
more  satisfactory  knowledge  respecting  them; 
and  his  proposal  being  approved,  he  Avas  en- 
couraged to  proceed  therein  as  soon  as  might 
be  practicable.  Accordingly,  in  the  spring 
of  1797)  he,  with  two  others  of  the  com- 
mittee, who  became  concerned  to  unite  with 


•ill 


t-irinnfr^'"iiri^'iif'i»«rtlnif>iriifat<iiiil#¥ifiiiiiiitT^^ 


It 


8 

him,  made  them  a  visit;  in  tlie  course  of 
which,  iiaving  passed  by  a  numl)er  of  their 
bunting  camps,  and  several  of  their  towns, 
tliey  had  large  opportunity  of  discovering 
their  situation,  often  exposed  to  the  incle- 
mency of  the  seasons,  with  a  very  preca- 
rious, and  often  a  very  scanty  supply  of 
food  and  cloathing,  they  suffered  all  the  mi- 
series of  extreme  poverty,  in  a  country, 
which,  from  its  great  fertility,  would,  with 
but  little  cultivation,  abundantly  supply  them 
with  all  the  necessaries  of  life.     -    ">     • 

These  Friends  had  an  opportunity  with 
some  of  the  chiefs  and  hunters  of  the 
Wyandot  and  Delaware  nations,  in  which 
tliey  informed  them  of  the  concern  of  Friends 
relative  to  them,  and  endeavoured  to  im- 
press on  their  minds,  the  advantages  they 
would  derive,  from  permitting  to  be  intro- 
duced amongst  their  people,  a  knowledge  of 
agriculture,  and  some  of  the  most  useful  me- 
chanic arts.  The  Indians  appeared  to  give 
close  attention  to  tlieir  communication,  pro- 
mised to  lay  the  matter  before  their  grand 
council,  and  inform  us  of  their  conclusion 


me  I  111  mil  iiiOwiliii 


f^ 


I  the  course  of 
uinluT  of  their 
of  their  towns, 
of  discovering 
d  to  the  incle- 

a  very  preca- 
inty  supply  of 
sred  all  the  mi- 

iu  a  country, 
y,  would,  Avith 
itly  supply  them 

pportunity  with 
liunters  of  the 
ions,  in  which 
ncern  of  Friends 
avoured  to  im- 
idvantages  they 
ing  to  be  intro- 
a  knowledge  of 
most  useful  me- 
appeared  to  give 
nunication,  pro- 
fore  their  grand 
their  conclusion 


:^\ 


upon  the  subject. No  way  opened,  du- 
ring the  year  1798,  to  proceed,  in  carry- 
ing"the  concern  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  into 
eftvict,  except  that  the  committee  furnished 
a  few  implements  of  husbandry,  and  other 
assistance,  to  some  Indian  families,  which 
were  situated  upon  the  branches  of  the 
Tuskarawas  river. 

In  the  Second  Month.  1799.  the  com- 
mittee received  a  speech,  and  belt  of 
Wampum,  from  Tarliie,  the  principal  chief 
of  the  Wyandot  nation,  delivered  at  De- 
troit, in  the  Ninth  Month  preceding :  of 
which  the   following  is  an  extract : 

"  Brethren  Quakers, 

"  You  remember  that  we  once  met  at  a 
«  certain  place.  When  we  had  there  met, 
«.« a  great  many  good  things  were  said,  and 
'*  much  friendship  was  professed  between  us, 

*'  Brothers, 

<*  You  told  us  at  that  time,  that  you  not 
«'  only  took  us  by  the  hand  ;  but  that  you 
^■*  held  us  fast  by  the  arm :  that  you  then 
B 


1 


ii.lrltJlW ■---i.^-"."-"r     Vt'rm-  irMlMi 


I 


10 

"  formed  a  chain  of  friendship.  You  said, 
•'  that  it  was  not  a  chain  of  iron  ;  but  that  it 
"  was  a  chain  of  precious  metal,  a  chain  of 
•''■  Silver,  that  would  never  get  rusty  ;  and 
''  that  this  chain,  would  bind  us  in  brotherly 
"  affection  forever. 


**  Brethren  listen  : 

**  We  have  often  heard  that  you  were  a 
good  and  a  faithful  people,  ever  ready 
to  do  justice,  and  good  to  all  men,  without 
distinction  of  colour  ;  therefore  we  love  you 
the  more  sincerely,  because  of  the  good- 
ness of  your  hearts,  which  has  been  talked 
of  amongst  our  nations,  long  since. 


(( 
(( 

it 

tt 


tt 
*t 
it 
it 


**  Brethren  listen  :  .>  >?  .,  v  f!:,'^ 

*'  You  have  informed  us,  that  you  in- 
tend to  visit  us  ;  yes,  that  even  in  our  tents 
and  cabbins,  you  will  take  us  by  the  hand. 
You,  brethren,  cannot  admit  a  doubt ; 
but  that  we  would  be  very  happy  to  see 
you. 

*'  Brethren  listen  : 

"  It  is  but  proper  to  inform  you  at  this 


IIJIJ.  I  I  ititiiiriill  I  -  a..^a^.^,j^t>.a._^aait. 


•l/mmmtmm 


You  said, 

but  that  it 

a  chain  of 

usty  ;    and 

II  brotherly 


^ou  were  a 
ever  ready 
!n,  without 
v^e  love  you 
the  good- 
jeen  talked 
lice. 


it  you  in- 
n  our  tents 
y  the  hand, 
a  doubt ; 
3py  to  see 


ou  at  this 


11 

"  time,  that  when  \^ou  do   come  forward  t6 
*'  see  us,  you  will,  no  doubt,  pass  by  my 
*'  place  of  residence  at  San  Dusky.     I  will 
"then  take  you,   not  only   by    the  hand, 
"  but  by  the  arm,     and  will  conduct   you 
*'  safely  to  the  grand  council  Jire  of  our  great 
"  SASTERETSEY,  where  all  good  things 
**  are  transacted,  and  where  nothing  bad  is 
«'  permitted  to  appear.     When  in  the  grand 
*'  council  of  our   Sasteretsey,  we  will   then 
*'  sit  down  together,  in  peace  and  friendship, 
*'  as  brethren  are  accustomed  to  do,  after  a 
**  long    absence ;    and   remind   each    other, 
*'  and    talk  of  those  things  that  were  done 
**  between  our  good  grand-fathers,  when 
**  they   first  met  upon  our  lands — upon  this 
**  great  island  I       .  ^ 

**  Brethren, 
'  "  May  the  Great  Spirit,  the  master  of 
*•  liffht  and  life,  so  dispose  the  hearts  and 
"  minds  of  all  our  nations  and  people,  that 
♦*  the  calamities  of  war  may  never  more  be 
«*  felt,  or  known  by  any  of  them  !  that  our 
•*  roads  and  paths  may  ne%  er  more  be  stain- 
«*  ed  with  the  blood  of  our  young  warriors  ! 


nil  iiiirtHiil 


II    iiiiimmiiHiMiii' 


'mmammeSmiu 


12 

''  m\(X  that  our  helpless  women  and   children 
**  may  live  in  peace  and  happines." 

■  i4  i      ,     '■ 

After  a  consideration,  of  the  foregding  com- 
munication, from  the  Wyandot  Nation  of  In- 
dians, the  committee  concluded  to  appoint 
a  few  Friends  to  make  them  a  visit,  agreea- 
bly to  their  request.  These  were  directed 
to  cultivate  a  friendly  correspondence  with 
them,  and  afford  them  such  assistance  as 
they  might  be  enabled  to  render.  They  ac- 
cordingly proceeded  in  the  visit,  with  an  in- 
tention of  being  at  their  General  Council ; 
and  after  passing  through  several  of  their 
towns,  arrived  on  the  third  of  the  sixth 
month  at  upper  San  Dusky,  the  principal 
village  of  the  JViandots,  where  they  were  re- 
ceived in  a  friendly  manner,  by  Tarhie,  (the 
Crane)  and  others  of  that  nation. 

Upon  conferring  with  these  Indians,  it  was 
found,  that  a  mistake  had  been  made  in 
the  translation  of  the  speech,  which  they 
had  sent  to  Friends,  respecting  the  time  of 
opening  their  great  Council,  to  which  Friends 
bad  been  invited.       They  now   informed, 


HadiWtWHiiMMiliMiMMi 


T 


lid   children 


egding  com- 
ation  of  In- 
to appoint 
isit,  agreea- 
ere  directed 
ndence  with 
issistance  as 
.  They  ac- 
with  an  in- 
ral  Council ; 
iral  of  their 
)f  the  sixth 
;he  principal 
hey  were  re- 
Tarhie,  (the 

iidians,  it  was 
en  made  in 
which  they 
the  time  of 
^hich  Friends 
w   informed, 


fe-  fii'iteWiiMifiiijIMiiii 


13 

tiiat  it  began  annually  at  the  full  moon,  in 
the  Sixth  month.     Finding  it  would  be  diffi- 
cult to  procure  food  for  themselves  and  hors- 
es there  until  that  time,  the  committe  con- 
cluded it  was  best,  under  their  present  cir- 
cumstances, to  propose  to  Tarhie,  a  confer- 
ence with  him  and  the  other  chiefs,  who 
were  then  at  and  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
San  Dusky  ;  which   was  accordingly  agreed 
to ;  and  at  the   time  appointed,   they  met 
him    and  several     other    chiefs,    together 
with   a    number  of  their  hunters,    at   his 
own  house ;  when  they  had  a  full  opportu- 
nity with  them  on  the  subject  of  their  vi- 

i 

Their  communication  appeared  to  be  receiv- 
ed with  great  satisfaction  by  the  Indians, 
and  in  their  answer,  delivered  on  some  strings 
of  Wampum,  they  expressed  the  gratitude 
they  felt,  for  the  care  and  friendship  which 
their  beloved  brethren,  the  Quakers,  had  al- 
ways manifested  for  the  Indians,  and  promis- 
ed, as  soon  as  the  grand  Council  me  I,  that 
they  would  communicate  fully  to  it,  the 
concern  which  our  society  felt  for  their  im- 


ftirii'iiiiiiiiiiiiMii-ii""'--""'''"'"""''''^'*""''""  '■■'*■"■  "-■■''•"-'*i"'" "'""■""""""' 


.iM 


rffi 


f 


i^H\ 


14 

provement,  and  inform  us  by  a  written  speech 
of  th(ir  conclusion  thereon. 

Whilst  these  Friends  were  at  San  Dusky, 
and  other  villages,  tiieir  minds  were  often 
deeply  aft'ected,  under  the  sorrowful  consider- 
ation, of  the  baneful  effects  of  spirituous  li- 
quors upon  the  Indians,  they  being  at  that 
time  supplied  with  it  in  almost  every  village^ 
by  Canadian  traders,  residing  amongst  them  ; 
and  they  were  confirmed  in  the  opinion, 
that  unless  tiiesc  traders  could  be  restrained, 
from  furnishing  them  with  this  destructive 
article,  in  exchange  for  their  skins  and  furrs, 
they  would  not  easily  be  persuaded,  to  turn 
their  minds  toward^agriculture  and  the  use- 
ful arts.  Notwithstanding  which  discourage- 
ment, the  great  aftection  they  have  for  our 
society,  manifested  on  all  occasions  whilst 
the  committee  were  amongst  them,  induc- 
ed them  to  hope,  that  Friends  would  endea- 
vour to  keep  under  the  weight  of  the  con- 
cern, and  be  prepared  to  proceed  in  the 
benevolent  work,  whenever  way  might  open 
for  further  service  amongst  them. 


tf»a.jae8:J<;iMii'itiT 


■Biin   ■*  T"l"l-trt' 


itten  speech 

San  Dusky, 
were  often 
ful  coiisider- 
pirituous  li- 
)eing  at  that 
very  village^ 
ongst  them ; 
he  opmion, 
e  restrained, 
destructive 
ns  and  furrs, 
led,  to  turn 
md  the  use- 
I  discourage- 
lave  for  our 
isions  whilst 
hem,  induc- 
vould  endea- 
of  the  con- 
ceed  in  the 
'  might  open 


15 

*  .  * 

(There  was  not  any  communication  be- 
tween the  committee  and  the  Indians,  dur- 
ing the  year  1800.  In  the  spring  of  1801, 
they  addressed  a  letter  to  them,  which  was 
forwarded  to  Si-n  Dusky  ;  but  the  person  to 
whose  care  it  was  directed,  and  who  was  re- 
quested to  communicate  it  to  their  council 
in  the  Sixth  Month,  not  being  at  home,  it 
was  returned  to  the  committee.  J 


>»'!& 


<?  /i-i 


In  the  Sixth  Mo.  1802,  the  Little  Turtle,, 
Five   Medals,    and   several   other   principal 
chiefs,  of  the  Miamiemid  Pottoivattomie  nations 
of  Indians,  passed  through  Baltimore,  on  their 
way  to  visit  the  President  of   the  United 
States  ;  at  which  time,  the  committee  took 
the  opportunity  of  holding  a  conference  with 
them  ;  in  which  the  concern   of  Friends  was 
fully  opened  ;  when  they  hiformed  them,  of 
the  great  discouragement,  Friends  had  met 
with,    in   carrying   their  views   into  effect, 
from  the  mtemperate  and  destructive  use  of 
spirituous  liquors  amongst  the  Indians,  which 
was  found  to  be  the  greatest  obstacle  in  the 
way   of  their  profiting  by  the  aid.   Friends 
had  been  desirous  of  giving  them.     : 


hi 


'M 


awariMiiiiflntii-rfltiiidri  Mnntiiiiin  iimiiriM 


16 


m 


1] 


This  opened  the  way  for  a  free  communi- 
cation, on  the  subject  of  the  introduction  of 
ardent  spirits  into  their  country,  in  which 
its  baneful  and  pernicious  effects,  were  strong- 
ly pointed  out.  The  Little  Turtle  in  reply, 
made  a  very  pathetic  and  impressive  speech 
upon  this  subject,  from  which  the  following 
is  extracted :  ,  - -^^ 

"  Brothers  and  Friends :         .     '. 

"  When  our  forefathers  first  met  on  this 
"  island,  your  red  brethren  were  very  nu- 
"  nierous.  But  since  the  introduction  a- 
"  nion^'st  us,  of  what  you  call  spirituous 
"  liquors,  and  what  we  think  may  justly  be 
"called  Poison,  our  numbers  are  greatly 
"  dimiMished.  It  has  destroyed  a  great  part 
•of  your  red  brethren. 

''  My  Brothers  and  Friends : 
'*  We  plainly  perceive,  that  you  see  the 
very  evil  which  destroys  your  red  bre- 
thren ;  it  is  not  an  evil  of  our  own  ma- 
king ;  we  have  not  placed  it  amongst  our- 
"  selves  ;  it  is  an  evil  placed  amongst  us  by 
^'  the  white  people  ;   we  look  to  them  to  re- 


ii 


it 


e  coramuni- 
roduction  of 
S  in  which 
were  strong- 
tie  in  reply, 
ssive  speecli 
le   following 


:  met  on  this 
;re  very  nu- 
roduction  a- 
lU  spirituous 
lay  justly  be 
are  greatly 
a  great  part 

you  see  the 
our  red  bre- 
our  own  ma- 
amongst  our- 
nongst  us  by 
o  them  to  re- 


<( 
(( 

<c 
(( 
(( 
(( 
it 


17 

move  it  out  of  our  country.  We  tell  thcni, 
brethren,  fetch  us  useful  things;  bring 
goods,  that  will  clothe  us,  our  women, 
and  our  children  ;  ana  not  this  evil  liquor, 
that  destroys  our  reason,  that  destroys 
our  health,  that  destroys  our  lives.  But 
all  we  can  say  on  this  subject,  is  of  no  ser- 
vice, nor  gives  relief  to  your  red  breth- 
ren. 


'•  My  Brothers  and  Friends, 

"  I  rejoice  to  find,  that  you  agree  in  opi- 
*'nion  with   us,  and  express  an  anxiety  to 
*'  be,  if  possible,  of  service  to  us,  in  removhig 
"  this  great  evil  out  of  our  country  ;  an  evil 
"  which  has  had  so  much  room  hi  it,    and 
*'  has  destroyed  so  many  of  our  lives,  that 
*'  it  causes  our  young  men  to  say,  "  we  had 
"  better  be  at  war  with  the  white  people ; 
*'  this  liquor,     which   they   introduce    into 
"  our  country,  is  more  to  be  feared  than  the 
"  gun  and  the  tomahawk.      There  are  more 
«  of  us  dead  since  the  treaty  of  Grenville, 
«'  than  we  lost  by  the  six  years  war  before. 
"  It  is  all  owing  to  the  introduction  of  this 
"  liquor  amongst  us."  ,^^  , 


II  m    I  r  iifi ir'--^'^'''^'^*^'^''-- ^■' 


,-    ■.:..^..,^.   ,■   .>.,«..,  ■n^r^.,V-..),lir,.%.i; 


18 


it 


"Brothers, 

"  Wlieii  our  young  men  have  been  out 
"  hunting,  and  are  returning  home  loaded 
"  with  skins  and  furs  ;  on  their  way,  if  it 
"  happens  that  tliey  come  along  where  some 
*'  of  this  whiskey  is  deposited,  the  white  man 
"  who  sells  it,  tells  them  to  take  a  little 
"  drink  ;  some  of  them  will  say  no,  I  do 
"  not  want  it ;  they  go  on  till  they  come  to 
"  another  house,  where  they  find  more  of 
"  the  same  kind  of  drink  ;  it  is  there  offer- 
*•  ed  again  ;  they  refuse ;  and  again  the 
"  third  time  ;  but  finally,  the  fourth  or  fifth 
*'  time,  one  accepts  of  it,  and  takes  a  drink  ; 
"  and  getting  one,  he  wants  another  ;  and 
"  then  a  third,  and  fourth,  till  his  senses 
«'  have  left  him.  After  his  reason  comes 
"  back  again  to  him  ;  when  he  gets  up,  and 
"  finds  where  he  is,  he  asks  for  his  peltry, 
"The  answer  is,  *' you  have  drank  them." 
"  Where  is  my  gun  ?  "  It  is  gone."  Where 
"is  my  blanket?  "It  is  gone."  Where  is 
"  my  shirt  ?  "  You  have  sold  it  for  whis- 
"  key  !  I"  Now,  Brothers,  figure  to  your- 
"  selves  M'hat  condition  this  man  must  be  in. 
"  lie  has  a  family  at  home  ;  a  wife  and  chil- 


Wl'ltni 


...  .^..^■^...^--■.-a^ 


'*^^.^''  ^- 


e  been  out 
ome  loaded 

way,    if  it 
where  some 
e  white  man 
ake   a  httle 
^    no,  I   do 
ey  come  to 
nd  more  of 
,  there  offer- 
1  asain   the 
urth  or  fifth 
kes  a  drink  ; 
lothcr  ;    and 
I   his   senses 
sason  comes 
gets  up,  and 

his  peltry, 
rank  them." 
le."  Where 
Where  is 
it  for  whis- 
re  to  your- 
{  must  be  in. 
ife  and  chil- 


19 

«  dren,  who  stand  in  need  of  the  profits  of 
"  his  hunting.  What  must  be  tlicir  wants, 
"  when  he  himself  is  even  without  a  shirt  l" 

These  chiefs  appeared  to  be   much   re- 
joiced at  the  assistance  Friends  proposed  to 
render  them  ;    aaid  in  reply  to  that  part  .of 
our  communication,    observed,    "  That  it 
«  was  their  anxious  wish,  to  engage  in  the 
•'  culture  of  their  lands ;   for  although  the 
"game  was  not  so  scarce,   but   that  they 
-  couM  get  enough   to  eat,    yet   they  were 
sensible  it  was  daily  diminishing,  and  that 
the  time  was  not  far  distant,    when  they 
would  be  compelled  to  take  hold  of  such 
tools  as  they  saw   in  the  hands  of    the 
**  white  people."  ^ 

^  the  committee,  on  a  weighty  considera- 
tion of  the  subject,  being  from  their  former 
experience  united  in  judgment,  that  no 
great  progress  could  be  made  in  the  civdiza- 
tion  of  the  Indians,  while  they  were  so  a- 
bundantly  supplied  with  distilled  spnits, 
concluded  to  address  congress  on  the  sub- 
ject.   Their  memorial  was   favourably  re- 


C( 


(< 


<l 


(< 


n 


ifrr*"!  irr"''^-"''"^*''-"""' 


iiti  •  ■-"-  ■•-'■-•'-■■■— '^'•"-■^"■^ 


r  n 


20 


ceived,  and  a  lavr  passed,    which  in  some 
measure  provided  a  remedy  for  the  evil.   -^ 

As  it  now  appeared  to  tlie  committee, 
that  the  principal  obstruction  to  the  intro- 
duction of  agriculture  amongst  the  Indians 
was  removed,  they  felt  themselves  encou- 
raged to  proceed  in  their  undertaking ;  and 
accordingly  provided  a  considerable  number 
of  implements  of  husbandry ;  such  as  Ploughs, 
Hoes,  Axes,  &c.  &c.  which  were  forwarded 
to  Fort  Wayne,  where  they  were  imme- 
diately distributed,  as  a  present  from  the 
^^  society  of  Friends,  and  thankfully  received 
by  the  Indians. 

A  letter  was  received  in  the  summer  of 
1803,  from  the  agent  for  Indian  aftairs,  at 
Fort  Wayne,    in  which  he  says : — 

"  Since  there  have  been  no  spirituous 
"  liquors  in  the  Indian  country,  they  appear 
.  **very  industrious,  and  are  fond  of  raising 
*'  stock."  He  also  expressed,  as  his  opinion, 
•'  that  the  suppression  of  spirituous  liquore  in 
'•  that  country,  is  tlie  most  beneficial  thing 


jtmiiljaVt-r-^— ■"*~ 


;h  in  some 
le  evil,  n 

committee, 
3  tlie  iiitro- 
thc  Indians 
Ives  encoii- 
aking ;  and 
ble  number 
1  as  Ploughs^ 
e  forwarded 
vere  imme- 
;  from  the 
illy  received 


summer  of 
1  aftairs,  at 


»  spirituous 
they  appear 
lI  of  raising 
his  opinion, 
us  liquors  in 
leiicial  thing 


21 

♦*  which  has  ever  t^een  done  for  them  by  the 
"United  iStatcs — that  there  had  not  l)eeti 
**one  Indian  killed  in  that  nciglilxmrhood 
••  for  a  year,  and  that  in  no  prcce(Un<^  year, 
"  since  the  treaty  of  Grenville,  had  there 
•*  been  less  than  ten,  and  in  some  years  as 
••  many  as  thirty,  killed."  The  agent  further 
added,  '*  that  the  Indians  appeared  to  be 
"  very  desirous  of  procuring  for  themselves 
*'  the  necessaries  of  life,  in  our  wai/  ;  but  say 
*'  they  do  not  know  how  to  begin.  Some  of 
*•  their  old  men  say,  **  the  white  people 
**  want  for  nothing.  We  wish  them  to  shew 
**  us  how  to  provide  the  many  good  things 
"  we  see  amongst  them.  If  it  is  their  wish 
**  to  instruct  us  in  their  way  of  living,  as 
"they  tell  us  it  is,  we  wish  them  to  make 
**  haste  and  do  it,  for  we  are  old,  and  must 
"  die  soon  ;  but  we  wish  to  sec  our  women 
•*  and  children  hi  that  path,  that  will  lead 
"  them  to  happiness  before  we  die." 

At  the  same  time  a  letter  was  received 
from  the  Little  Turtle  and  Five  Medals,  in 
which  they  expressed  a  wish,  that  some  of 
the  committee  would  visit  their  country  ; 


n 


ii 


it'iirfriiiiiiinr-'T-' 


iiMi 


lrfifc^>fciM*^ii.iiai  »ni.* 


21 

which  being  considered,  the  committee  ap-^ 
pointed  a  deputation  for  that  purpose,  wlio 
were  authorised  to  take  one  or  more  suitable 
persons  witli  them,  to  reside  amon-^st  tiie 
Indians,  for  the  purpose  of  teaehinj^  them 
agriculture,  and  other  useful  knowledge,  as 
frr  as  such  an  establishment  should  appear 
practicable.  »     .  *         ,»..*.* 

In  the  Second  Month,  1804,  two  of  the 
deputation  proceeded  to  Foit  Wayne,  ac- 
companied by  Philip  Dennis,  who  had 
offered  his  services  to  go  with  them,  to  re- 
main witli  the  Indians  during  the  summer, 
for  the  purpose  of  instructing  them  m  hus- 
bandry ;  taking  with  him  two  horses,  to  be 
employed  in  ploughing,  &c.  , , 

They  arrived  at  Fort  Wayne  the  last  of 
'  the  Third  Month,  and  soon  after  convened 
several  of  their  principal  chiefs ;  in  a  council 
with  whom,  a  future  day  was  fixed  upon  for 
the  committee  to  meet  them,  together  with 
as  many  of  their  old  men,  their  young  men, 
and  their  women  and  children,  as  could  be  as- 
sembled :    the  attendance  of  the  latter  was 


-pi. — .1..^ — ^.j^ 


■ijiiii  iiwiiriliiiiir  iiiVifniiiiiiiiWih»iii<niw 


23 


imittec  ap* 
irpose,  wlio 
lore  suitable 
luon^st  the 
chilli;  them 
lowletlge,  as 
ould  appear 

two  of  the 
Wayne,  ac- 
is,  who  had 
them,  to  re- 
the  summer, 
hem  in  hus- 
horses,  to  be 

le  the  last  of 
fter  convened 
;  in  a  council 
ixed  upon  for 
together  with 
ir  young  men, 
i  could  be  as- 
the  latter  was 


particularly  requcstid  by  our  deputation; 
and  tiics''  chiefs  having  previously  rccpiestcd, 
that  whatever  matter  Fiirnds  might  have 
to  connniinicate  to  the  Indians  should  be 
written,  in  order  that  they  might  lay  it  be- 
fore the  CiRAND  Council,  in  the  Sixth  Mo. 
following,  to  the  attendance  of  which  they 
very  pressingly  invited  the  committee  ;  on 
the  day  appointed,  being  met  by  a  considera- 
ble number  of  the  natives,  the  following 
Avritten  address  was  read  and  interpreted  to 
them  : 

"     '     ■    '         '         '  -  .     ;      ,  -     '        '■  i    ' 

*^  Brothers  and  Friends,  .    ', 

"  When  we  weife  together,  eight  days  ago, 
with  the  Little  Turtle  and  the  Five  Medals, 
the  letter  was  read  to  them  which  has  just 
been  read.  That  letter,  you  observe,  says, 
that  we  were  appointed  by  the  people  called 
Quakers,  of  Baltimore,  to  visit  you,  and 
to  take  you  by  the  hai\d  on  their  behalf,  de- 
siring that  you  would  receive  any  communi- 
cations frpm  us,  as  comii^  immediately  from 
them.  ■     ^^      ■  -  -^S'-v^^rf*^' 


Si 


!.j 


%f'ff!    ■ 


■llllf r— ^■^" ^.-LjSai..  |.  riimM,!^ 


24 

"  Brothers,  >     ■ 

"  After  that  letter  was  read,  our  hearts 
were  filled  with  so  much  love  for  our  red 
brethren,  tliat  on  looking  over  and  con- 
sidering the  business  upon  which  we  had 
come,  we  felt  a  desire  to  see  as  many  of  you 
together  as  could  be  convened— and  this  day 
was  then  agreed  upon  for  us  to  meet  you. 

"  Brothers, 
.  "  We  believed,  that  the  things  we  had  to 
say,  were  of  great  importance  to  our  red 
brethren— and  therefore  it  was,  that  we  re- 
quested to  see  you  together— that  you  all 
might  have  an  opportunity  of  hearmg  what 
we  have  to  say.  ^  ,    / 

**  Brothers, 

"  Our  hearts  are  filled  with  thankfuhiesa 
'      to  the  Great  Spirit,  that  HE  has  brought  us 
i  HI  s^f^^y  ^^  ^^^^  country  of  our  red  brethren, 

'  and  protected  us  through  our  journey.    >Ve 

^Iso  rejoice  that  he  has  given  us  this  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing  you,  and  of  taking  you  by 
the  hand. 


I  i,^i 


jiiitttBiiiili 


our  heavts 
for  our  red 
;r  and  coii- 
ich  we  had 
nany  of  you 
and  this  day 
neet  you.    . 

rs  we  had  to 

to    our  red 

that  we  re- 

that  you  all 

hearing  what 


thankfuhies* 
las  brought  us 
red  brethren, 
journey.  We 
us  this  oppor- 
aking  you  by 

.IfifSJ'i.' 


25 


**  Brothers, 

"  It  is  now  a  httle  more  than  two  years, 
since  your  brothers  of  Baltimore  had  an  op- 
portunity of  becoming  acquainted  with  the 
Five  Medals,  the  Little  Turtle,  Tuthinipee, 
and  some  other  chiefs.  They  were  glad  of 
that  opportunity  of  having  a  Talk  with 
them,  and  of  enquiring  after  the  situation 
of  their  Red  brethren. 

"  Brothers,  "      '     '  * 

««  We  had  for  some  time  entertained  ap- 
prehensions, that  the  many  changes,  which 
were  taking  place  in  circumstances,  must 
greatly  change  the  situation  of  our  Red  bre- 
thren—and  that  the  time  was  fast  approach- 
ing, in  which  it  would  be  necessary  for  them 
to  alter  their  mode  of  living.  -"      '   "' 

<*  Brothers,       '  ^'-      "^^  " 

"  After  our  talk  with  the  chiefs  whom  we 
have  just  mentioned,  we  were  fully  convin- 
ced, that  the  time  was  come,  in  which  our 
Red  brethren  ought  to  begin  to  cultivate 
their  lands.  That  they  ought  to  raise 
corn,    and  other  grain,   also  horses,    cows 


Mi' 


*  f- 


mm 


^LiH^..^:.^'-'-     ,iiJt.,.-^,.-^,f|,,^|i.-..l-.  ..l4llfe.>--;^:.^.-.....i.».»M„.-.nf» 


'^ 


i  n 


26 

sheep,  hogs,  and  other  animals.  We  then 
proposed  to  afford  them  some  assistance. 
They  appeared  to  be  glad  of  the  proposal, 
and  informed  us— that  many  of  their  peo- 
ple were  disposed  to  turn  tbt-ir  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  earth.  They  also  ex- 
pressed a  desire,  to  be  ^sisted  by  their  bro- 
thers of  Baltimore,  'r        1       '"*    '•' 

I-  ^     ..  "  * 

**  Brothers, 

*'  Having  been  encouraged  by  the  oppor- 
tunity which  we  then  had,  we  sent  to  the 
care  of  the  agent  for  Indian  affairs,  some 
ploughs,  harness  for  horses,  axes,  hoes,  and 
other  implements  of  husbandry,  which  were 
made  for  the  use  of  our  Red  brethren,  and 
desired  that  they  might  be  distributed  a- 
mongst  them,  as  tokens  of  our  friendship. 

"  Brothers, 

'*We  received  last  fall,  through  the 
hands  of  the  agent  for  Indian  affairs,  a 
talk,  from  the  Little  Turtle,  the  Five 
Medals,  and  others,  informing  us,  that 
they  had  received  the  implements  of  hus- 
bandry, and  requested,  that  their  brothers 
of  Baltimore  would  send  some  of  their  peo- 


!71 


We  then 
assistance. 
le  proposal, 
their  peo- 
ittention  to 
ley  alsoex- 
T  their  bro- 


the  oppor- 
sent  to  the 
iflfairs,  some 
5,  hoes,  and 

which  were 
ethren,  and 
stributed  a- 

friendship. 

through  the 
m  affairs,  a 
,  the  Five 
ng  us,  that 
;nts  of  hus- 
leir  brotliers 
3f  their  peo- 


27 

pie  into  the  country  of  their  red  brethren, 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  their  situation, 
and  shewing  them  how  to  make  use  of  thfe 
tools  ;  saying,  they  did  not  know  how  to 
hesi:^:        '  •  *'  '        "  .       . 

*'  Brothers, 
^.,,"Itis  for  these  purposes,   that  we  have 
now  come  ;   and  we  a^in  repeat,    that  we 
rejoice  we  have  this  opportunity  of  seeing 
you,  and  of  taking  you  by  the  hand. 

i*'  Brothers, 

^r"  In  coming  into  the  comitry  of  our  Red 

brethren,  we  have  come  with  our  eyes  open. 

And  although  we  are  affected  with  sorrow, 

in  believing,  that  many  of  the  Red  people 

suffer  much,    for  the  want    of  food,  and 

for  the  want  of  clothing ;     yet  our  hearts 

have  been  made  glad,  in  seeing,  that  it  has 

pleased  the  Great  Spirit,    to  give   you  a 

rich   and  valuable  country.      Because    we 

know,  that  it  is  out  of  the  earth,  that  food 

and  clothing  come.     We  are  sure,  brothers, 

that  with  but  little  labour  and  attention, 

you  may  raise  much  more  corn,  and  othet. 


i 


-,.  .„.,; -^..A»..  ....  .  .,.»»^,, 


liftlWttl  "^'lll   I ..-.'-  ^-^.^ 


n  f -ft' r""*^  — ..aij-_igiaui.Mi; ^j 


28 

grain,  than  will  be  necessary  for  yourselves, 
your  women,  and  children,  and  may  also, 
with  great  ease,    raise  many  more  horses, 
cows,  sheep,  hogs,  and  other  valuable  ani- 
mals, than  will  be  necessary  for  your  own 
use.       We   are  also  confident,  that  if  you 
will  pursue  our  method,  in  the  cultivation 
of  your  land,  you  will  live  in  much  greater 
ease  and  plenty,  and   with   much   less   fa- 
tigue and    toil,    than  attend  hunting  for  a 
subsistence* 

''Brothers, 

*'  We  are  fully  convinced,  that  if  you  will 

adopt  our  mode  of  cultivating   the   earth, 

and    of    raising    useful    animals,    you  will 

find  it  to  be  a  mode  of  living  not  only  far 

more  plentiful  and  much  less  fatiaiing  ;  but 

also   much    more    certain,    an#phich  will 

expose  your  bodies  less,  to  the'lhclemencies 

of  the  weather,  than  is  now  attendant  upon 

hunting,     it  will  lead  you,  brothers,  to  have 

fixed  homes.     You  will   build  comfortable 

dwelling  houses,  for  yourselves,  your  women 

and  children,  wl^re^you  may  be    sheltered 

from  the  rain,  from  the  frost,  and^om  the 


^^ 


I 


JL 


tJmXtnatMm 


yourselvesi 
I  may  also, 
lore  horses, 
valuable  ani- 
v  your  own 
that  if  you 
e  cultivation 
uch  greater 
ich  less  fa- 
inting for  a 


it  if  you  will 
;  the  earth, 
lis,  you  will 
not  only  far 
tiguing  ;  but 
|#hich  will 
Inclemencies 
tendant  upon 
hers,  to  have 
comfortable 
your  women 
be  sheltered 
ind  Icom  the 


) 


29 

snow— and  where  you  may  enjoy  in  plenty 
the  rewards  of  your  labours. 

\,  «'  Brothers, 

*'  In  laying  these  things  before  you,  we 
have  no  other  motive,  than  a  desire  of  heart, 
for  the  improvement,  the  benefit,    and  the 
welfare  of  our  Red  brethren— and  therefore 
it  is,  that  we  speak  with  freedom,  and  we 
hope  that  what  we  have  to  say,  will  go  in  at 
one  ear,  and  not  come  out  at  the  other ;    but 
that  it  will  be  remembered  by  our  Red  bre- 
thren.     For  we  know,    brothers,  that   we 
shall  not  be  ashamed  of  what  we  say,  when 
in   time  to  come,  you  compare  the  things 
we  are  saying  to  you,  with  your  experience 
in  practising  them. 

"  Brothers, 

"We  will  here  mention,  that  the  time 
was,  when  the  forefathers  of  your  brothers, 
the  white  people,  lived  beyond  the  great- 
water,  in  the  same  manner,  that  our  Red 
brethren,  now  live.  The  winters  can  yet  be 
counted,  when  they  went  almost  naked, 
when  they  procured  their  living  by  fishing, 


0^ 


.#^- 


n 


ijidum^tnu  tttmont 


-•^ 


30 

and  by  the  bow  and  arrow,  in  hunting— an(i 
when  they  lived  in  houses  no  better  than 
yours.  They  were  encouraged,  by  some, 
who  came  from  towards  the  sun-rising,  and 
lived  amongst  them,  to  change  their  mode  of 
living.  They  did  change — ^they  cultivated 
the  earth  ; 
happy  one 


and  we  are  sure  the  change  was  a 


?*i-   iW- 


n'ihr 


&M  ,iji: 


i  11 


*' Brothers  and  Friends, 

"  We  are  not  ashamed  to  acknowledge,- 
that  the  time  was,   when  our  forefathers  re- 
joiced,   at  finding  a  wild  plumb-tree,    or  at 
killing  a  little  game,  and  that  they  wandered 
up  and  down,  living  on  the  uncertain  sup- 
plies of  fishing  aiid  hunting.     But,  brothers, 
for  your  encouragement,  we  now  mention, 
that  by  turning  tl^eir  attention  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  earth,  instead  of  the  plumb-tree, 
they  soon   had  orchards,  of  many  kinds  of 
good  fruit— instead  of  the  wild  game,  they 
soon  had   large  numbers  of  cattle,   horses, 
sheep,  hogs,  and  of  other  valuable  animals— 
and  in  many  places,  instead  of  their  forests, 
they  had  large  fields  of  corn  and  of  other 


«* 


■•-'IT'-"''*- •"'■':.''""*' 


51 


riting— an(i 
)etter  than 
by  some, 
•rising,  and 
eir  mode  of 
'  cultivated 


langewas  a 

t     <   •  Vi  • 


.  .^^^ 

^knowledge,' 
efathers  re- 
tree,  or  at 
2y  wandered 
ertain  sup- 
t,  brothers, 
iw  mention, 
the  cultiva- 
plumb-tree, 
ly  kinds  of 
game,  they 
:tle,  horses, 
ie  animals— 
their  forests, 
ind  of  other 


grain,  as  also  of  many  other  valuable  pro- 
ductions of  the  earth.    ■    -^    * 


1 


"  Brothers,       ,       ** 

"  We  hope  your  eyes  mil  he  open,  to  see 
clearly,  the  things  which  are  best  for  you  ; 
and  that  you  will  desire  to  pursue  them. 
We  believe  brothers,  that  it  is  in  the  heart 
of  your  father,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  assist  his  Red  children,  in  the  culti- 
vation of  the  earth,  and  to  render  them  ser- 
vices, which  will  be  greatly  for  their  benefit, 
and  welfare.  We  hope  that  your  exertions 
to  change  your  present  mode  of  living,  will 
be  so  plain  to  him,  that  he  will  sec  them  : 
This  will  encourage  him,  to  continue  to  aid 

you,  in  your  endeavours. 

*  —  ■      -  - '  *  ^^ 

"  Brothers, 

"  We  have  spoken  plainly ;  we  desire  to 
speak  plain.  We  will  now  tell  you,  thai  we 
have  not  come  merely  to  talk  with  you.  We 
have  come  prepared  to  render  you  a  litte  as- 
sistance. Our  beloved  brother,  Philip  Den_ 
Nis,  who  is  now  present,  has  come  along  with 
us.     His  desire  is  to  cultivate  for  you,  a  field 


«. 


^mtiiimimf^ 


i 


^      yjti"'''"----'^"-'  ■'''—^'^■-^^  •'>'-*"  ■i»"''l'i*'*M'"*'''>"'i" 


ll.illiiill.iA.., 


32 


of  corn— Also  to  shew  you  how  to  raise  some 
of  the  other  productions  of  the  earth.  He 
knows  how  to  use  the  plough,  tlie  hoe,  the 
axe,  and  other  implements  of  husbandry.  ^ 

"  Brothers,         .^^  ^  .  t     > 

"  V¥e  will  here  ask  you— Are  you  still  de- 
sirous to  be  instructed  by  us,  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  your  lands?  If  you  say,  you  are  ; 
our  brother  whom  we  have  just  mentioned, 
will  continue  with  you,  during  the  sum- 
mer. We  shall  leave  it  to  you,  to  shew 
him  the  spot  where  to  begin  to  work. 

,.;    **  Brothers, 

«  lie  has  left  a  farm— he  has  left  a  wife, 
and  five  small  children,  who  are  very  dear  to 
him— he  has  come,  from  a  sincere  desire  to  be 
useful  to  ouF  Red  brethren--His  motives  arc 
pure— he   will  ask  no  reward  from  you,  for 
his  services— his  greatest  reward  will  be,    n 
the  satisfaction  he  will  feci,  in  finding  you  m- 
clined  to  take  hold  of  the  same  tools  which 
he  takes  hold  of— to  receive  from  him,  in- 
struction in  the  cultivation  of  your  lands,  and 
to  pursue  the  example  he  will  set  you. 


Ma^m'ff-"'        -"""*■ 


o  raise  some 
earth.  He 
he  hoe,  the 
isbaiidry. 


you  still  de- 
the  cultiva- 
y,  you  are  ; 
t  mentioned, 
12  the  sum- 
ou,  to  shew 
work. 


}  left  a  wife, 
:  verv  dear  to 
re  desire  to  be 
is  motives  are 
rom  you,  for 
rd  will  be,    n 
nding  you  in- 
le  tools  which 
rom  him,  in- 
our  lands,  and 
let  you. 


33 


"  Brothers, 

«*  We  hope,    you  will  make  the   situation 
of  our  brother,  as  comfortable  as  eircumstan- 
ces  will  admit.     We   hope,  also,  tliat  many 
of  your   young   men  will    be   wiilino;  to  be 
taught  by  him,  to  use  the  plougii,  the  hoe, 
and  other  implements  of  husbandry.      For 
we  are  sure,  brothers,  tliat  as  you  take  hold 
of  such  tools,  as  are  in  the  hands  of  the  white 
people,  you  will  find  them  to  be  to  you,  like 
having  additional  hands.     You  will  also  find, 
that  by   using  them,  they  will  emible  you  to 
do  many  things,  which,  without  them,  can- 
not be  performed. 

Brothers, 

There  is  one  thing  more,  which  we  wish 
to  add.  The   white    people,     in   order 

to  get  their  land  cultivated,  find  it  neces- 
sary, that  their  young  men  should  be  em- 
ployed in  it— and  not  their  women.  Women 
are  less  than  men.  They  are  not  as  strong  as 
men.  They  are  not  as  able  to  endure  fatigue 
and  toil  as  men.  It  is  the  business  of  our 
women,  to  be  employed  in  our  houses— to 
keep  them  clean— to  sew— knit— spin— and 


I  i  i 


-'■tr^"-'-^'^ 


^ 


^vcavc— to  ilr'css  food  for  HumhscIvi'S  and  fa- 
„,ilu..— to  make  clothes  for  tlit  men  ami  the 
icst  of  their  families— to  keep  tlie  clothing 
of  liieir  families  clean,  and  to  take  care  of  their 
children. 

Brothers, 

We  desire,  not  to  mention  too  many  tilings 
to  yon  ;    bnt   we  must  add  a  little   further. 
^VV  are  fidly  convinced,  that  if  you  will  turn 
your  attention  to  the  <'ultivation  of  the  earth 
—To  raising  the  different  kinds  of  grain— To 
erecting  mills  for  grinrling  grain— To  build- 
ing  comfortable  dwelling   houses,    for  your 
families— To  raising  useful  animals  ;  amongst 
others,  slicep,  for  tin-  advantage  of  the  wool, 
in  makug     clothing— To   raising   flax    and 
hemu,  lor  your  linen— An4  your  young  wo- 
men" learn  to    spin,  and   weave— that  your 
lives  will  be  nuieh  easier,  and  happier,  than 
at  present— and  that  your  numbers  will  in- 
crease, and  not  continue  to  diminisli.     As  we 
before  observed,  brothers,  your  land  is  good. 
It  is  far  better  than  the  land  the  white  peo- 
ple near  the  great  water,  cultivate.     We  are 
persuaded,  that  your  land  will  produce  dou- 


1 1  iiii«#itiff1'fiT-  '-^-^^«-" 


ves  and  fa- 
len  and  the 
he  clothing 
:are  of  their 


many  tilings 
tie   further, 
oil  will  turn 
of  the  earth 
if  grain — To 
—To  build- 
3S,   for  your 
Is  ;  amongst 
of  the  wool, 
111   flax    and 
ir  young  wo- 
; — that  your 
liappier,  than 
nbers  will  in- 
inifik.     As  we 
land  is  good. 
16  white  peo- 
ate.     We  are' 
produce  dou- 


35 

hie  the  quantity  of  any  kind  of  grain,  or  ot 
llax,  or  ht  nip,  with  the  same  labour  neeessa- 
ry  near  the  great  water. 

l^iothers  &  Friends, 

We  shall  now  end  what  wehavetosiy, 
with  informing  you,  that  all  the  corn,  and 
other  productions  of  the  earth,  which 
Philip  Dennis,  may  raise,  we  wish  our 
Red  brethren  to  accept  of,  as  a  token  of 
our  fviendship.  And  it  is  our  deMie,  that  the 
chiefs  of  the  Pottawattamie  and  Miamic  na- 
tions, who  are  now  present,  added  to  our 
brothers,  the  Five  JNIedals,  Tutliinipee,  and 
Phimi'  Dknnis,  make  such  a  distribution 
thereof,  as  tliey  may  think  proper." 

The  Indians  observed  great  decorum,  and 
gave  close  attention  during  the  delivery  of 
tliis  address.  They  respectfully  manifested 
their  approbation  of  the  sentiments  it  con- 
tained by  reiterated  exclamations  of  ap- 
plause, and  the  most  evident  demonstrations 
of  satistaction.  In  reply,  the  Little  Turtle 
delivered  a  speech  on  behalf  of  the  council, 
from  which  the  following  is  extracted. 


■,^.^..^,..^Y-ni  I"''  "'  '™-".'iii»if 


'*  ]h'otlicrs  aud  l''iicti(ls, 

•'  ^Vl•  rijoU  r,  that  tlu;  Great  Spirit  has 
appointed,  that  wo  should  lutrt  tliis  day, 
lor  w'c  believe,  this  ineetini^  will  be  of  the 
iitiuobl  eonsiciueiiee  to  your  lied  brethren. 

.     •         '        '■' 

*'  Brothers,  • 

"  The  things  you  have  said  to  us,  require 
our  greatest  attention  :  it  is  really  necessary, 
that  we  should  deliberate  upon  them.  In 
order  to  do  so,  we  must  beg  you  to  leave  the 
paper,  upon  which  they  are  written,  that  we 
may  conununicate  them  to  our  chiefs,  when 
they  assemble  in  Grand  Council. 

"  Brothers, 

*'  You  have  been  very  particular  in  point- 
ing out  to  us,  the  duties  of  our  women,  and 
yo^ii  have  told  us,  that  in  adopting  your 
uiode  of  living,  our  numbers  would  increase, 
and  not  continue  to  diminish.  In  all  this,  I 
certainly  agree  with  you,  and  I  hope  my 
brother  duels  will  also  agree  with  you.       .   ;• 

Brothers,   </.•■-  >-^'  ^      '^    •  '- -■^'  '^f?!' 
Assure  your  people,  who  sent  you  here— 


n 


ei 


S7 


Spirit  luis 
it  tliis  day, 
1   be  of  the 

brethren. 


us,  require 
iy  necessary, 
I  them.  In 
1  to  leave  the 
tten,  that  we 
chiefs,  when 


liar  in  point- 
women,  and 
Jopting  your 
:)uld  increase, 
In  all  this,  I 
1  I  hope  my 
th  you.       •  '1 


nt  you  here — 


tell  your  old  chiefs,  that  we  are  obliged  to 
thcni,  lor  their  friendly  otYers  to  assist  us, 
in  chani^in-^  our  present  mode  of  livin;;— 
Tell  them,  it  is  a  great  work,  that  cannot  be 
done  immediately  ;  but  that  we  are  that  way 
disposed,  and  hope  it  will  take  place  gra- 
dually." //»     In,    ,f,^i*-,''l) 

The  committee  remained  several  weeks 
amongst  the  Indians,  during  which  time, 
they  visited  a  number  of  their  towns  and 
villages,  at  all  of  which  they  were  received 
in  the  most  friendly  and  hospitable  manner. 

In  the  course  of  their  journey,  they  pas- 
sed by  a  settlement  of  the  IVi/andifs,  at 
Brown's  Town,  or  the  Rock.  They  found  that 
the  Indians  at  this  place,  had,  since  the  visit 
made  by  Friends,  to  their  nation,  in  the  year 
1799,  advanced  considerably  in  agriculture  ; 
many  of  them  having  built  comfortable 
houses,  and  acquired  a  considerable  number 
of  cattle,  hogs,  and  other  domestic  animals. 
And  tiiey  were  informed  from  good  authori- 
ty, that  the  Wyandois,  residing  at  San 
Duskv,  as  well  as  the  ^hawaneesCy    on  the 


Mmmm 


I  III  itilifiill'  ■■*-''-^' 


»a  iiMitfiriMMi 


38 

Auf^laize  liverjiad  also  since  that  visit,  tuvnod 
their  attention  very  much  towards  the  culti- 
vation of  their  lands  ;  they  had  therefore 
the  satistaction  to  remark,  that  the  conimu. 
nications  from  the  committee  to  tiiese  na- 
ti(ms,and  the  exertions  which  had  been  made, 
to  turn  tlieir  minds  to  agriculture,  although 
we  had  not  been  in  a  situation  to  extend 
much  assistance  to  them,  have  not  been  alto- 
gether unavailing. 

They  also  visited  the  place  fixed  upon  for 
the  settlement  of  Philip  Dennis,  on  the 
Wabash  river,  about  forty  miles  south-west 
of  Fort- Wayne,  and  found  ils  situation  to 
be  very  advantageous  for  farming ;  the  soil 
appearing  to  be  equal  in  fertility,  to  any 
land  in  the  western  country  ;  to  this  place 
there  are  also  two  good  mill-seats  adjacent ; 
one  on  the  Wabash,  which  may  be  improved 
without  injuring  its  navigation,  and  the  other 
on  a  stream  which  falls  into  that  river,  about 
half  a  mile  below. 

Soon  after  their  return  home,   a  letter  was 
received  by  the  committee,  from  the  Indian 


i 


39 


isit,  tuvnotl 
i  the  culti- 
1  therefore 
he  (X)nmiU_ 
>  these  na- 
beeii  made, 
j,  although 
to  extend 
t  been  alto- 


id  upon  for 
IIS,  on  the 
.  south-west 
situation  to 
12 ;  the  soil 
ty,  to  any 
3  this  place 
its  adjacent ; 
Lie  improved 
ind  the  other 
river,  about 


a  letter  was 
1  the  Indian 


agent  at  Fort  Wayne,  informing,  that  the  In- 
dians had   held   their   council    in  the  Sixth 
month,   agreeably  to  expectation  ;  at  which 
874  of  them  attended   ;  "  when  the  written 
address  of  George  Ellicott  and  Geuard 
T.  Hopkins,  (who  it  appeared  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  visit  the  Indians  on  behalf  of  the 
society  of  Friends,)  was  produced,  read  and 
interpreted  to   all  the  different  nations  pre- 
sent."    In  reply   to  wh.ich,   divers  of  their 
chiefs     expressed    great    satisfaction  ;     and 
amongst   others   Toethteboxie,    on  behalf  of 
the  Delnimrcs,  said  "  for  many  years  before 
*'  I  came  into  the  world,  the  white  people  have 
*'  been  ofterhig  to  do  for  us,  what  is  now  men- 
"  tioned,  and  it  appears,  that  our  eyes  loere  ne- 
"  xeropend,  until  this  time  ;  we  will  now  take 
"  hold  of  it,  and  receive   it.     I  am  an  old 
«'  man,  and  want  to  see  it  before  I  die  ;  if  I 
"  once  see  it,  I  will  die  in  peace,  to  think  I 
"  have  left  my  women  and  children  in  com- 
'^fort."  : 

On  the  return  of  the  Friend,  who  went 
out  with  the  comunttee,  and  remained  in 
the  ludiaii  country,  during  most  of  the  year 


MtiiiWfiiitiiWwiwVit'^ir^'^'i''^'^'''^'''  ''"^'~ '  -  '  -"M""'*"*'""'^"' 


40 


li 

ill 


1804,  he  informed,  that  he  spent  the  time  a- 
greeably  with  them,  and  was  favored  to  enjoy 
a  good  portion  of  health  whilst  there,     lie 
raised  about  400  bushels  of  corn,  besides  a 
quantity  of    turnips,    potatoes,    cucumbers, 
water   melons,    pumpkins,    beans,    parsnips 
and  other  garden  vegetables,  which   he   di- 
rected to  be  divided  amongst  the  Indians  on 
their  return  from  their  hunting  camps  ;  and 
left  with  the  family  of  Indians,   with  whom 
he  resided,  upon  the  farm  he  had  cultivated, 
23  hogs  and  pigs,  seven  of  which  were  in  good 
order  to  kill,  and  he  expected  would  weigh 
fifteen  hundred  pounds  ;  these  he  engaged  the 
agent  to  attend  to  the  killing  and  salting  of. 
They  were  small  when  brought  to  the  farm  in 
the  spring,  and  had  no  other  food  than  what 
they  gathered  in  the  M^oods. 

With  some  assistance,  which  he  obtained 
from  Fort-Wayne,  he  cleared  and  enclosed 
under  a  substantial  fence,  twenty  acres  of 
ground,  and  built  a  house,  thirty-two  feet 
long  and  seventeen  feet  wide,  a  story  and  a 
half  high,  with  floors  and  partition. 


MMMMiMiittHa 


S^JSSi*"^^^^ 


the  time  a- 
ed  to  enjoy 
there,     lie 
1,  besides  a 
cucumbers, 
s,    parsnips 
lich   he   di- 
Indians  on 
::amps ;  and 
with  whom 
\  cultivated! 
vere  in  good 
.^ould  weigh 
engaged  the 
1  salting  of. 
)  the  farm  in 
3d  than  what 


he  obtained 
md  enclosed 
inty  acres  of 
rty-two  feet 
story  and  a 


ion. 


S'- 


He  further  informed,  that  the  Indians  who 
remained  with  him,  were  very    industrious, 
and  attended  to  his  directions  ;    the  young 
women    wished  to  work  in    preparing   the 
ground    and    in    tending    the    corn ;    from 
this  he  dissuaded  them:  and  as  some  spin- ^ 
ning  wheels  had  just  arrived  at  Fort- Wayne, 
which  had  been  sent  on  by  government,    he 
encouraged  them  to  go  there,  and  learn  to 
spin  and  knit,  of  a  white  woman,  who  hap- 
pened to  beat  that  place  ;  this  they  did,  and 
soon  learned  both  to  spin  and  knit ;    and  he 
left  them  knitting  yam   of  their  oxm  spinning, 
when  he  came  away.    _  ,     ; 

He  also  informed,  that  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  Ed  River  and  Weas  Indians  were  a- 
bout  to  settle  near  the  place  he  cultivated  ; 
and  that  previous  to  his  departure,   he  was 
with  several  of  their  principal  chiefs,  who 
requested  him  to  tell  Friends,  that  they,  and 
the  Indians  generally,  were  much  obliged   to 
them  for  the  assistance  they  had  given  them, 
and  hoped  we  would  continue  our  friendship 
towards  them,  and  that  nothing  might  hag- 
pen  to   discourage  ug. 


r«liliifli1Wif»<i 


iiiiitilit tlMiMliliiaiilii-  '-'^■^"•<-<-^ 


42 


All  the  Indians  he  was  amongst,  were  very 
friendly ;  as  was  also  the  agent  and  other  of- 
ficers of  the  government. 

As  it  appeared  that  the  Indians  were  very 
desirous  of  Friends,  continuing  their  care  iv- 
wards  them,  and  of  our  sending  a  person  to 
take  the    place  of  Philip  Dennis  ;    after 
weightily  considering  the  subject,  it  was  con- 
cluded to  endeavour  to  procure  a  suitable 
Friend  for  that  purpose  ;   but  none  offering 
to  engage  in  the  service,  and  the  committee 
taking  into  consideration  the  low  state  of 
their  funds,  and  the  advanced  season  of  the 
year,  together  with  the  dissatisfied  and  un- 
settled situation  of  the  Indians  at  that  time,  on 
account  of  a  sale  of  land  made  by  some  of 
the  tribes  to  the  United  States,*  thought  it 
might,  for  the  present  season,  be  best  to 
write  to  the  agent,   and  request    him,    to 
procure  for  us,  the  most  suitable  character  in 
his  power,  who,  under  his  direction,   would 
plough  the  land,  Philip  Dennis  cultivated 
the  last  season,   and  plant  it  in  corn :    in 
the  performance  of  this,  we  hoped  he  would 

*  The  uneasiness  which  this  circumstance  occasioned  a- 
mong'Jt  the  Indians  has  since  been  entirely  rempved. 


wummtmimmmtit 


iii 


,  were  very 
d  other  of- 


is  were  very 
leir  caxe  tv- 
a  person  to 
iNis  ;    after 

it  was  con- 
)  a  suitable 
lone  offering 
J  committee 
ow  state  of 
eason  of  the 
[led  and  un- 
that  time,  on 
;  by  some  of 
♦  thought  it 

be  best  to 
est  him,  to 
i  character  in 
ction,  would 
IIS  cultivated 
in  corn :  in 
iped  he  would 

ince  occasioned  a« 
remQved. 


■.>•  .  -* 

be  assisted  by  the  Indians.  We  also  ob- 
served, that  after  their  corn  was  planted,  we 
were  willing  to  believe  thei/  would  be  able  to 
manage  it  themselves;  should  a  second 
ploughing  however  be  necessary,  we  direct- 
ed this  also  to  be  done.  This  person  was 
also  desired  to  prepare  for  them  a  garden 
of  the  most  useful  vegetables,  which  they 
might  afterwards  easily  manage. 

The  committee  have  since  received  his  an- 
swer to  this  letter,  in  which  he  says,  **  he 
will  lose  no  time  in  complying  with  their 
request,  and  that  he  will  at  all  times  be 
ready  to  put  the  benevolent  concern  of 
Friends,  towards  the  Indians,  in  execu- 
tion." He  also  says,  "  that  at  this  time,  a 
spirit  of  industry  exists  amongst  the  Indians 
generally  ;  and  that,  as  several  of  the  tribes, 
had  requested  of  government,  to  have  a  part 
of  their  annuities  expended  in  the  employ- 
ment of  men,  to  split  rails,  and  make  fences 
for  them  ;  the  Deiaxvares  had  twenty-three 
thousand  rails  put  up  into  fences,  the  last 
winter  ;  and  that  forty-thousand  more  would 
be    made  into  fences  for  the  Miamie  and 


<i'iMiir'ir-rll«i'iHili 


II. iiiii'riiitiiiiitirtrii'iri--''-"^'-^ -'■"• 


..ttJk. 


Eel  River  Indians,   by  the  first  of  the  Sixth 
Month."     He  adds,  "  that  ten  famihes  of 
the  Miamies  have  settled  adjoining  the   pl^ce 
cultivated  by  Philip  Dennis,  and  that  four 
men  were  employed  in  making  rails  to  fence 
in  forty  acres  for  them;    also,    that  three 
persons  more  were  at  work  for  the  Eel  River 
Indians,  a  half  a  mile  below  Dennis'  sta- 
tion :  that  they  had  twenty-five  acres  clear- 
ed and  ready  for  the  plough,  and  he  expect- 
ed would  have  fifty  or  sixty  acres  fenced  in 
by  the  first  of  the  Sixth  Mo."     He  further 
adds,  **  that  he  expects  at  least  twenty-five 
families  of  Indians  will  remove  to  reside  at 
that  place  the  present  season,  and  he  is  con- 
fident the  settlement  will  increase  very  fast- 
The  Indian  who  worked  during  the  last  sea- 
son with  Philip  Dennis,  was  about  build- 
ing himself  a  comfortable  house,  had  clear- 
ed  two  acres    more    of  ground,    and    was 
ploughing  the   field    previously  cleared    by 
Philip  Dennis:  the  hogs  which  were  left 
there  with  him,  had  increased  to  one  hun- 
dred in  number. 

The  agent  further  mformed,  "  that  there 


....Jli 


f  the  Sixth 
famihes  of 
ig  the   pliice 
md  that  four 
■ails  to  fence 
,    that  three 
he  Eel  River 
)ennis*  sta- 
acres  clear- 
id  he  expect- 
;res  fenced  in 
He  further 
t  twenty-five 
to  reside  at 
nd  he  is  con- 
ise  very  fast* 
;  the  last  sea- 
about  build- 
3,  had  clear- 
id,    and    was 
r  cleared    by 
ich  were  left 
to  one  hun- 


"  that  there 


H 


45 

would  be  one  hundred  acres  of  land  under 
good  fence,   at   the   Little   Turtle's  Town, 
(eighteen  miles^  north  of    Dennis's  Station) 
by ''the  first  of  the  Sixth  Month,  where  they 
had   also  obtained  a  large  number  of  hogs, 
and  some  cows,  and  he  doubts  not,  but  that 
the  Indians  will  soon  see,  that  it  is  easier  to 
raise  food,    than  to  procure  it  by  hunting," 
and  "  adds,    "  Friends   may  see,  from   the 
great  progress  they  have  made  in  civilization, 
since  Philip  Dennis  was  with  them,  that' 
they  only  want  good  and  suitable  men  to 
reside  amongst  them,  and  teach  them  how 
to  work."*  * 

♦  Since  this  narrative  was  prepared  forpublication,  a  letter  has 
been  received  from  the  agent  at  Fort  Wayne,  dated  the  fi.thof 
the  Tenth  month  I80.5,in  which  he  says,  "  agreeably  to  the  di- 
rections of  the  committee,  I  have  employiul  a  man  to  assist  the 
Indians  in  cuUivatingthefield.on  the  Wahash,which  was c  ear- 
ed and  cultivated  by  Philu-  Dennis,  last  year;  the  Indians 
with  tiiis  man's  assistance  have  raised,  it  is  supposejl,  at 
least  six  hundred  bushels  of  good  corn,  from  this  one  field,  ex- 
clusive of  what   they   have   raised   from  ground  ot   their  own 

clearing.        •  ,    ,.r      x    i-        i 

Many  of  the  oldest  of  the  Eel  River  and  Weas  Indians  have 
removed  and  settled  at  that  place,  where  they  will  be  folloM  ed 
by  the  younger  branches  of  their  tribes  in  the  cnsnuifi  spring. 

He  adds,  "  believing  as  I  do,  that  the  society  of  Friends  are 
desirous  of  ameliorating  the  situation  of  their  Red  Frethren  m 
this  country,  1  will  take  the  r.l)erty  to  (-bserve.  that  uie  present 
is  a  very  favourable  time,  to  put  in  execution  their  benevol^^nt 
views,  towards  the  distressed  natives  of  this  land,  and  that 


1  1^ 


Notwithstanding  there  are  several  other 
nations,  who  appear  desirous  of  the  assistance 
and  care  of  Friends  ;  yet  from  the  limited 
state  of  our  funds,  we  hfive  heretofore  been 
under  the  necessity  of  confining  our  aid, 
principally,  to  the  Miamicy  Eel  River  and 
Weas  Indians. 

It  will  be  perceived,  that  during  several 
years  of  the  first  labours  of  the  committee, 
but  little  progress  was  made ;  this  may  be 
attributed,  in  a  great  measure,  to  the  per- 
nicious effects  of  ardent  spirits  amongst 
them.  As  soon  as  the  introduction  of 
this  great  evil  into  their  country  was  re- 
strained, there  was  an  immediate  improve- 
ment discoverable,  and  an  almost  universal 
disposition  seemed  to  pervade   them,   to  a- 

much  good  may  be  done  on  the  Wabash  by  «<^n^;"g  «"«  «' 
two  suitable  men  to  reside  amongst  the  Indians,  and  teach  them 
how  to  raise  stock,  and  cultivate  the  earth.  Witness  what 
Philii-  Dennis  effected  amongst  them  the  last  year.  At  a  sta- 
tion where  he  had  every  thing  to  begin,  there  are  "ow  at  least 
four  hundred  hogs  and  twenty  c?^^  ?"<*  t*'«J"'''"":,''*  "^^j- 
I.oe  in  this  country,  live  so  comrortably,  as  those  at  that  place. 
If  this  (.pirit  of  industry  is  kept  alive  tor  a  few  years,  it  will 
certainlv  have  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  minds  ot  the  In. 
LnsalCnyoftVeneigbouring  villages.  The  Indians  have 
lately  concluded  a  treaty  with  the  United  States,  which  has  set- 
tied  all  their  jarring  interests." 


^gt^.^,^  ,^ 


wfmmmf 


3ral  other 
^  assistance 
the  Hmited 
Lofore  been 
;  our  aid, 
River  and 


ing  several 
committee, 
lis  may  be 
o  the  per- 
s  amongst 
duction  of 
ry  was  re- 
te  improve- 
st  universal 
hem,   to  a- 

scnding  one  or 
and  teach  Uiem 
Witness  what 
year.  At  a  sta- 
are  now  at  least 
ndians  at  no  vil- 
se  at  that  place, 
'ew  years,  it  will 
uinas  of  the  In» 
he  Indians  have 
8,  which  has  set- 


II  •liiili'M&lliirrlif "•■, 


.      47 

bandon  their  former  habits  of   living,  and 
turn  to  the  :  Jtivation  of  their  lands  -.—their 
progress  in  civilization  has,  since  then,   been 
much  more  rapid,  than  the  most  sanguine 
could  have  expected  ;  and  on  comparing  the 
condition  of  these  Indian  tribes,  at  the  time 
the  last  deputation  from  our  committee  vi- 
sited them,   with  their  present  situation,  we 
are  of  opinion,  that  there  is  great  cause  of 
encouragement  for  Friends  to  persevere   in 
the  benevolent  work  they  have  undertaken, 
and  strong  ground  to  hope,  that  our  labours 
will,  in  the  end,  be  crowned  with  the  de- 
sired success. 

When  we  reflect  on  the  gradual,  but  con- 
tinued decrease  of  these  people,  from  the 
time  the  Europeans  first  visited  this  conti- 
nent, until  the  present,  and  the  many  whole 
tribes,  of  which  not  any  trace  now  remains, 
except  their  names,  there  is  every  reason  to 
believe,  that  should  the  Indians  continue  to 
pursue  their  former  mode  of  life,  a  few 
centuries  more,  many  other  whole  nations  of 
them  will  become  entirely  extinct. 


r  :,ia:^tw .- . 't --f^^-ffpr"^^^''  '''•• "  "'"'■•'  '^•^"Mw«*ift'>*^ 


^^■JJ 


48 


P 


§: 


1   ii 


Impressed   with    this    melancholy    con- 
sideration,   it  must    be  a    prospect    truly 
gladdening    to    the    enlightened     christian 
mind,   to  survey  the  hastening  of  that  day, 
when  this  part  of  the  human  family,  weaned* 
from  savage  habits,  and  allured  by  the  supe- 
rior advantages  of  civil  life,  shall  exchange 
the  tomahawk   and  scalping  knife   for  the 
plough  and  the   hoe  ;   and  instead  of  ranging 
the   forests  in  seeming  affinity,  to  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  desart,  shall  peacefully  and  ra- 
tionally enjoy  the  productions  of  \he  fruitful 
field  /—Nor  is  this  all,  added  to  the  cultiva^ 
tion  of  the  earth,   the  first  step  hi  the  view 
of  the  committee,  towards   many  other  im- 
portant temporal  advantages,   to  be  derived 
to  this  people  from  civil   life,  may  not  the 
promotion  of  this  concern,  which  has  thus 
far  evidently  prospered, /»r^/>are /or,  and  prove 
the    means   under    the    divine    blessing, 
throucrh  which,   may  finally  spread  and  pre- 
vail amongst  these,    our  fellow  men,    that 
light  and  knowledge,  which  so  emment- 
Iv  distinguish  the  true  Christian  ? 

Sic^nedon  behalf  of  the  comtnitte  on  Indian  «oncerns.  ap- 
pointed  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Baltimore. 

PHILIP  E.  THOMAS,  Cleik, 
Baltimore,  lUhMo.  1805, 


'4 


j^,ir,<«?Wi*~-.-^' 


T1 


holy    con- 
ject    truly 
christian 
that  day, 
ily ,  weaned  * 
\f  the  supe- 
1  exchange 
ife   for  the 
of  ranging 
to  the  wild 
illy  and  ra- 
ti ie  fruitful 
the  cultiva- 
in  the  view 
y  other  im- 
be  derived 
lay  not  the 
ich  has  thus 
»r,  and  prove 

;      BLESSING, 

;ad  and  pre- 

r  men,    that 

so  eminent- 

.N? 

lian  concerns,  ap- 

)MAS,  Clak 


I  llfcllll       ■! " " 


